Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones

Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones (June 21, 1941 – September 15, 2015) was born on a cotton plantation in Crawfordsville, Arkansas. Influenced by Robert Johnson and T-Bone Walker, Jones stated that when he was in his early teens he was given harmonica lessons by Little Walter. At the age of 18, he moved to Chicago and was further inspired by the gospel music recordings of O. V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor and the Spirit of Memphis Quartet. He played the guitar in several gospel groups for over a decade.

Having been trained as a welder, Jones moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he became established as a musician in the local blues scene. Jones won a W.C. Handy Award for Best New Blues Artist in 1998.

Jones played at the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival

Jones died in Decatur, Illinois, on September 15, 2015, aged 74.